Without Barry, the Plot Gets Thinner; Council Member Mendelson Loses a Key Foe, and Supporters Lose a Key Voice

[FINAL Edition]

The Washington Post
-
Washington, D.C.

Author:

Timberg, Craig

Date:

Apr 5, 2002

Start Page:

B.04

Section:

METRO

[Anthony A. Williams] applauded Barry's decision to put "the best interests of the city and of his family at the forefront" and suggested that Barry might find a formal role in city government. The two men met privately Monday in Williams's office.

Barry's candidacy also had worried many longtime supporters after U.S. Park Police reported finding trace amounts of marijuana and cocaine in his car March 21. Barry, who had been parked near a drug market at Buzzard Point in Southwest Washington, has vehemently denied using drugs.

The field for the at-large seat looks far different without Barry. Mendelson, who is white and lives in Northwest Washington, now faces at least two lesser-known challengers, both African Americans with the potential to draw support in the largely black central and eastern neighborhoods where Barry was most popular.

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